Rare 1965 Mini Cooper S found hiding in shed for over 40 years fetches eye-watering amount at auction
A RARE Mini that was abandoned in a shed for decades has sold for more than £52,000 at auction.
The Mini Cooper S model belonged to retired lorry driver Elwyn Watkins, aged 86, who lives near Bewdley, Worcestershire.
A British Motor Corporation employee first purchased the car on a company discount scheme, but it was quickly passed onto Mr Watkins in 1965.
The sought-after vintage car had been abandoned in a shed since the late 70s, according to Mr Watkins’ younger brother Julian, aged 70.
Mr Watkins opted to buy the Mini instead of a Jaguar E-type, because he wanted to go on trips with two or three passengers and felt it was more practical, worcesternews.co.uk reports.
Julian said: “That’s how he came about buying it. Twiggy and The Rolling Stones had Cooper S’s”.
The Mini Cooper S has green paintwork with a white roof and still sports the original dove grey interior and grey carpets.
An original service book is still available with the car, while there’s an MOT certificate from 1986 showing the car had 39,031 miles on the clock, which means the Cooper S has travelled just 113 miles since then.
Although the racy Mini only cost Elwyn Watkins £778 back in 1965, it went under the hammer at Classic Car Auctions and made £52,857.
Julian added: “It went like a rocket. The gentleman who bought it really wanted the vehicle and would have paid over that for it.
“My brother couldn’t believe it and neither could I”.
He said they both celebrated with a cup of tea after the successful auction.
Another classic Mini was recently found hidden in a garage and sent to auction – showing just 12,000 miles from new it had been left for over 30 years.